Patent GB-191015820-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Methods of Raising or Forcing Liquids and in Apparatus therefor.
Inventor: HUMPHREY HERBERT ALFRED
Filed: 1910-07-01
Granted: 1911-06-29
Abstract: 15,820. Humphrey, H. A. July 1. Direct explosion apparatus.-In apparatus of the type in which a return flow of the liquid column compresses the combustible charge, the outward movement of the liquid column is utilized to compress an elastic fluid such as the combustible mixture, part of which is supplied under pressure to act upon the liquid column at the combustion - chamber end, and part is allowed to act at the opposite end to effect the return flow. Fig. 1 shows the invention applied to a twochamber apparatus of the type described in Specification 18,594/07. Assuming the chamber 1 to be full of water, the chamber 2 to contain a compressed charge of gas ready for ignition, and the reservoir 15 to contain a charge of compressed gas ready for admission to the chamber 1, as soon as explosion takes place the water from the chamber 2 is forced along the play - pipe 7 and combustible mixture is forced freely from the vessel 8 through the open pipe 17. When the pressure has fallen within the chambers 1, 2 to a certain extent, the valve 29 is opened and a charge of compressed explosive mixture from the vessel 15 is admitted to the chamber 1 which serves to give a further impetus to the column of liquid in the playpipe 7. As soon as the pressure has fallen still further, the valve 29 is again closed and the gas in the chamber 1 allowed to expand, water being ultimately drawn in from the supply vessel 3 when the pressure in the chambers 1 and 2 has been reduced below atmospheric pressure. Meanwhile, the valve 16 has been shut by the impact of the water rising in the vessel 8, and the charge of gas therein is forced under pressure into the vessel 15. Further movement of the liquid in the pipe 7 causes the valves 5 to open, air being compressed in the air - vessel 9, and water delivered through the delivery pipe 6. A volume of compressed gas remains in the upper part of the vessel 8, and as soon as the water in the pipe 7 comes to rest, this gas expands and drives the column of water back towards the chambers 1, 2, expelling the exhaust gasesfrom the chamber 2 through the exhaust valve 32 and compressing the charge in the chamber 1 ready for the next explosion. The capacity of the vessel 15 is varied by admitting a greater or lesser quantity of liquid thereto from the pipe 26, and the volume of gas admitted to the chambers 1, 2 is thereby regulated. The height of the pipe 17 in the vessel 8 may likewise be regulated for varying the pressure at which gas is forced into the chamber 15. Fig. 2 shows a suitable valve-gear for regulating the admission and exhaust valves, the conditions shown being those at the commencement of the cycle of operations described above. When the pressure in the chamber 1 has fallen to that of the combustible mixture in the vessel 15 and supply-pipe 14, the valve 29 opens by its own weight and a charge flows into the chamber. A further fall of pressure allows a piston 73 to descend under the action of a spring 69 acting upon a collar 35, which slides upon the stem of the valve 29 and closes the valve as soon as it engages with a collar 36 fixed to the valve stem. When the pressure reaches about atmospheric, a piston 49, which is operated by the opposing forces of a spring 52 and the gaseous pressure in the cylinder 48, descends and causes the rod 60 to move the plate 46 to the right through the action of the tappet gear shown, so locking the valve 29 and releasing the valve 30. The return flow of water into the chambers 1, 2 now expels the products of combustion through the valve 32, and as soon as this valve is shut by the contact of the water and the residual gas in the top of the chamber is compressed, the piston 49 rises again and the rod 65 moves the plate 45 to the right, so locking the valves 29, 32, and releasing the valves 30, 31. The valves are now ready for the next cycle, which takes place in a similar manner. A modified form of valve-gear suitable for a single-chamber apparatus is also described. Two vessels may be used in place of the vessel 8 to force the air and combustible gas separately into the combustion chamber, so that there is no explosive mixture at any part of the apparatus except in the combustion chamber itself. The apparatus is adapted for compressing air by the addition of an air-compressing chamber to the pipe 6, the air-vessel 9 and non-return valves 5 being dispensed with, or the air-compressing chamber may be fitted to the pipe 7 when it is desired to pump liquid and compress air simultaneously. Specifications 20,736/06, 18,595/07, 19,341/07, 22,646/07, and 25,638/07 are also referred to.